MINUTES
SENATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON NORTH AMERICAN
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Thursday, November 13, 1997
8:30 a.m.
Camino Real Hotel,
El Paso, Texas
PUBLIC HEARING
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Interim Committee on
North American Free Trade Agreement was held on Thursday,
November 13, 1997 in the Camino Real Hotel, El Paso, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman None
Senator John Carona
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
Chairman Truan called the public meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.
and began with opening remarks. A quorum was present. At this
time, the Chair introduced and recognized each member of the
Committee. The Chair then recognized El Paso Representatives
Joe Pickett and Paul Moreno, who were present. Senator
Shapleigh was recognized to make opening remarks and
introduced El Paso Mayor Carlos Ramirez to make some
introductory remarks.
Following the printed agenda, Chairman Truan, then introduced
the following speakers: Kelly Fero, from the Texas State
Comptroller's office; Carmen Rodriguez, Field Representative
from the Comptroller's office; videotaped testimony from Mr.
Ray Caballero, an El Paso attorney; Bob Cuellar, Interim
Executive Director for the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) and; Dr. Tom Fullerton, Professor for the Center on
Border Economic Development at the University of Texas at El
Paso.
The Chair then received testimony from working families about
the impact of NAFTA on displaced workers. Witnesses who
testified and registered are shown on the attached list.
Chairman Truan recognized State Representative Joe Pickett to
deliver written and oral testimony regarding border
infrastructure and transportation issues. A discussion
followed. The Chairman then received invited testimony from
the first panel regarding NAFTA's impact on education. A
discussion followed. Witnesses who testified and registered
are shown on the attached list.
The Committee recessed for lunch at 12:05 pm until 1:15 pm.
Upon reconvening at 1:15 pm, the Committee received invited
testimony from the second panel regarding NAFTA's impact on
health and law enforcement issues. A discussion followed.
Witnesses who testified and registered are shown on the
attached list. Chairman Truan next accepted invited testimony
from the third panel regarding NAFTA's impact on housing. A
discussion followed. Witnesses who testified and registered
are shown on the attached list. The Committee then heard
invited testimony from the fourth panel regarding NAFTA's
impact on the environment. A discussion followed. Witnesses
who testified and registered are shown on the attached list.
Chairman Truan then allowed invited testimony from the fifth
panel regarding NAFTA's impact on the border and other NAFTA
high-impact regions' infrastructure. A discussion followed.
Witnesses who testified and registered are shown on the
attached list. The Chairman next received invited testimony
from the sixth panel regarding NAFTA's impact on education. A
discussion followed. Witnesses who testified and registered
are shown on the attached list.
Upon conclusion of the invited testimony, the Committee heard
public testimony. A discussion followed. Witnesses who
testified and registered are shown on the attached list. At
5:55 pm Senator Shapleigh assumed the Chair, and public
testimony resumed. There being no further business, at 6:20
pm, Senator Shapleigh moved that the Committee be adjourned.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chair
______________________
Carla D. Buckner, Clerk